Shiseido Code Red, Ginza Red, Shizuka Red VisionAiry Gel Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches

Christine — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 16:00:00 +0000

Code Red (221)

Shiseido Code Red (221) VisionAiry Gel Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a bright, medium red with neutral-to-cool undertones and a cream finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a single stroke, which covered my lips with even, smooth coverage. The texture was creamy and lightweight, which enabled the lipstick to skate across my lips with ease. The formula is extremely comfortable to wear but does eventually wear down to a more satin finish that has light tackiness (but doesn’t lift the color or create patchiness) that I imagine helps this shade last well for nearly eight hours while still being very hydrating.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

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YSL Rouge Unapologetic (151) (LE, $38.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
Bite Beauty Gemini (Right) (LE, $26.00) is cooler (95% similar).
NARS Margot (LE, $34.00) is lighter (95% similar).
Buxom Provocateur (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
Chanel Carmin (LE, $37.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
NARS Members Only (LE, $28.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
YSL Le Rouge (1) (PiP, $38.00) is more shimmery, more muted, cooler (90% similar).
Estee Lauder Boldface (P, $32.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (90% similar).
ColourPop Snow White (LE, $10.00) is darker (90% similar).
Sephora High Heels (41) (P, $13.00) is more shimmery, glossier (90% similar).

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Formula Overview

$26.00/0.05 oz. - $520.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to have "high levels of pigment" for "cushiony, comfortable, weightless color" that lasts for "six hours." They had rich color coverage in a single stroke, just as promised, and they were creamy and emollient, which made them comfortable and easy to apply on my lips.

The formula has a slight set to it where it is less emollient and clings slightly (but not uncomfortably), so it loses some of the initial slip, which ultimately helps keep the product in place better and for longer. Over time (about an hour or so), the shine wore down a bit and the consistency felt a little tackier, but most of the shades lasted for six to eight hours and some of the mid-tone and deeper shades made it through a meal adequately.

The formula remained comfortable to wear, kept my lips hydrated while worn but they often felt quite good even a few hours later after a shade wore down. There was no discernible scent or taste.

The biggest downside to the product is that each tube contains a mere 0.05 oz., which is absolutely tiny relative to most traditional lipsticks (contrast this with the also-just released ModernMatte lipstick, which is the same price but contains 0.14 oz.).

Browse all of our Shiseido VisionAiry Gel Lipstick swatches.

Ingredients

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Water, Synthetic Wax, Polyethylene, Isododecane, C9-12 Alkane, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Lauroyl Lysine, Jojoba Esters, Silica, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Mica, Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Peg-12 Dimethicone, Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Phenoxyethanol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Agar, Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Propylene Carbonate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Polyglycerin-3, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Simethicone, BHT, Tocopherol. May Contain (+/-): Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985).

Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.

Code Red (221)

PPermanent. $26.00.

9.5

Product

9.5

Pigmentation

Texture

Longevity

Application

98%

Total

Ginza Red (222)

Shiseido Ginza Red (222) VisionAiry Gel Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a vibrant, medium orange-red with warm undertones and a creamy finish. The pigmentation was fantastic, while the color applied evenly and smoothly on my lips without dragging. The lipstick had a lightweight, moderately creamy consistency that felt wet going on but had a subtle, setting process where it developed a light tackiness and felt like it adhered better in place but wasn’t clingy. It lasted nicely for six and a half hours, and it kept my lips moisturizing over time.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

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Hourglass Lover (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
NARS Jungle Red (P, $26.00) is darker (90% similar).
Too Faced 90210hhh (DC, $22.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
Marc Jacobs Beauty Showstopper (134) (DC, $30.00) is cooler (90% similar).
Urban Decay F-Bomb (DC, $18.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
NARS Do Not Disturb (LE, $28.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
NARS Margot (LE, $34.00) is cooler (90% similar).
Chanel No. 04 (LE, $45.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
Chanel Fiction (222) (P, $37.00) is more shimmery, lighter, more muted (90% similar).
Burberry Military Red (P, $34.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).

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Formula Overview

$26.00/0.05 oz. - $520.00 Per Ounce

The formula remained comfortable to wear, kept my lips hydrated while worn but they often felt quite good even a few hours later after a shade wore down. There was no discernible scent or taste.

Browse all of our Shiseido VisionAiry Gel Lipstick swatches.

Ingredients

Ginza Red (222)

PPermanent. $26.00.

A+

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

Longevity

Application

100%

Total

Shizuka Red (223)

Shiseido Shizuka Red (223) VisionAiry Gel Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a medium-dark copper with warm, rusty red undertones and a cream finish. It had rich color coverage that applied evenly and smoothly in a single layer. The consistency was lightly creamy, velvety, and comfortable to apply and to wear. I found that this shade was denser and a bit “heavier” in a way it looked (not felt) compared to other shades. This shade wore beautifully for seven hours on me and was nicely hydrating over time.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

YSL Chili Tunique (80) (P, $38.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Shiseido Sleeping Dragon (227) (P, $26.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (90% similar).
ColourPop Gallop (P, $10.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
MAC It's All Me (P, $24.00) is cooler (90% similar).
Guerlain Wild Kiss (509) (P, $39.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
NARS Golshan (P, $25.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
YSL Fiery Red (83) (P, $38.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar).
MAC Business Casual (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
ColourPop Who Run This (P, $6.00) is lighter, cooler, less glossy (85% similar).
Revlon Toast of New York (P, $8.49) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (80% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

$26.00/0.05 oz. - $520.00 Per Ounce

The formula remained comfortable to wear, kept my lips hydrated while worn but they often felt quite good even a few hours later after a shade wore down. There was no discernible scent or taste.

Browse all of our Shiseido VisionAiry Gel Lipstick swatches.